Grand Fiesta

[Expo_Seeker40]

Rather than showcase EPCOT as a proud way of branching away from the sterotypical magical disney animated films, fantasyland, etc....the imagineers are now giving Mexico a ride that has 99% nothing to do with Mexico's culture. Instead Disney characters invade the attraction, but now the attraction revolves around them rather than the characters giving an edutainment lesson in mexican culuture.

El Rio del Tiempo was old....no doubt....but it didn't have to be remodeled in the whole "Epcot 1999-God only knows when" era of Disney character rides and waterdowned attractions that no longer continue an updated or upgraded spirit of EPCOT.

I'll go on grand fiesta del oh my goddo....but like the seas with pixar and friends....it will probably my first and only ride. :drevil: :dazzle:

oh btw I still love Epcot though...in it's own way. :ROFLOL:

and if fiesta del wand was an attraction I might have to see it just for the heck of it. :zipit:

 

[Figments Friend]

So......

Any speculation as to when "Fiesta" is to reopen?

 

[kcnole]

I'm going to wait until after the attraction is open before I make a decision on whether this was good or bad. I still think I can see where it will work great. The two birds are searching for Donald throughout Mexico. I'm hoping it's going to use the two searching for Donald as a way to hilight the great things in Mexico and just use the story of the birds as a way to show off the country. If that happens, then in my mind, the view of World Showcase as a place for Disney to show off countries still works. I don't like the idea as good as giving Mexico a unique and original attraction, but it's better than it staying like it was and it may not be awful.

 

[mousermerf]

I don't get it...

They search the sites of Mexico to find Donald. Why on earth is that bad? Like anyone recognized the sites of Mexico from the original ride? Now they'll be pointed out to us.. Jeeze, exactly what the sponsor - Mexico - wants!

It's a travelogue ride! Like Canada has a travelogue film and France has a travelogue film and China has a travelogue film!

Short of forcing you to cross the border, they couldn't of possibly given Mexico more of wanted they wanted with this refurbishment. They're showing you the sites of Mexico to entice you to visit.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I don't get it...

They search the sites of Mexico to find Donald. Why on earth is that bad? Like anyone recognized the sites of Mexico from the original ride? Now they'll be pointed out to us.. Jeeze, exactly what the sponsor - Mexico - wants!

It's a travelogue ride! Like Canada has a travelogue film and France has a travelogue film and China has a travelogue film!

Short of forcing you to cross the border, they couldn't of possibly given Mexico more of wanted they wanted with this refurbishment. They're showing you the sites of Mexico to entice you to visit.

Where I think the problem is is that just a few hundred yards away, we have had that exact argument played into reality. We took something that is real and inspiring in its own right and made it the secondary attraction. To many, myself included, The Seas is now a Nemo pavilion with information about sea life and sea exploration. We now have crept into cultures. We will have a 3 Cab. ride that features Mexican culture. The original focus has become secondary. Now, there are any number of debates that can be argued; it is neither objectively good or objectively bad. However, it is objectively different and appeals to a completely different audience. It all depends on what the magic of WDW was/is for you. "Disney Magic" was a celebration of our childhood fantasies and inspirational accomplishments and cultures at one point. Today "Disney Magic" is presenting the highly marketed/recognizable characters in multiple formats. Again, these are just changes. Unfortunately, this marks a departure from that magic for some while creating another opportunity for new magic for others.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Where I think the problem is is that just a few hundred yards away, we have had that exact argument played into reality. We took something that is real and inspiring in its own right and made it the secondary attraction. To many, myself included, The Seas is now a Nemo pavilion with information about sea life and sea exploration. We now have crept into cultures. We will have a 3 Cab. ride that features Mexican culture. The original focus has become secondary. Now, there are any number of debates that can be argued; it is neither objectively good or objectively bad. However, it is objectively different and appeals to a completely different audience. It all depends on what the magic of WDW was/is for you. "Disney Magic" was a celebration of our childhood fantasies and inspirational accomplishments and cultures at one point. Today "Disney Magic" is presenting the highly marketed/recognizable characters in multiple formats. Again, these are just changes. Unfortunately, this marks a departure from that magic for some while creating another opportunity for new magic for others.

Disney has to create the magic that will sell. El Rio Del Tiempo never had a line...if people now line up for this new ride, it will be a success.

 

[Jekyll_Baker]

I love El Rio - I'd ride it every time I go to Epcot, but at least now it might have an actual storyline. It always annoyed me that there were no explanations of the images shown, such as the Aztec gods, or the beach and cliffdiver scenes, etc. The ride really was the latino love-child of it's a small world and If You Had Wings (without the velocity tunnel). The new storyline will be fine (I also love Walt's Latin American films - Saludos Amigos and 3 Caballeros), except most everyone under middle-age are going to ask "who the heck are those two birds looking for Donald?"

 

[poohbear6103]

I love El Rio - I'd ride it every time I go to Epcot, but at least now it might have an actual storyline. It always annoyed me that there were no explanations of the images shown, such as the Aztec gods, or the beach and cliffdiver scenes, etc. The ride really was the latino love-child of it's a small world and If You Had Wings (without the velocity tunnel). The new storyline will be fine (I also love Walt's Latin American films - Saludos Amigos and 3 Caballeros), except most everyone under middle-age are going to ask "who the heck are those two birds looking for Donald?"

I am 30 and I have no idea who they are. I mean I know Donald, but I don't know who these other birds are I will give the ride a try though. I have to admit, I liked the corny aspect of Rio and the fact that there were never lines (hard to find at the World you know).

 

[DisneyNut7578]

The download link is broken... :shrug:

Try this one...

http://www.directmessagelab1.com/download/disney/default.aspx?originID=198

 

[Eyorefan]

For people doubting that younger kids will know who the 3 cabs. are, I have to say that while they aren't main stream by any streach of the imagination, the movie was released on DVD a few years ago. It's one of my 7 year old daughter's favoriates. She likes it a whole lot more than I do.

 

[eroyee]

:wave: I say great. we loved the ride but got tired of the same old stuff!!

 

[SirNim]

I'm gonna miss El Rio, and though I generally am against the gratuitous inclusion of characters and character-based storylines in Epcot, I have a feeling I'll have no particular problema con la Fiesta Grande.

Though honestly, World Showcase doesn't need makeovers for its few attractions. It needs whole new attractions... either in existing countries or in completely new ones.

 

[Slowjack]

Disney has to create the magic that will sell. El Rio Del Tiempo never had a line...if people now line up for this new ride, it will be a success.

That's the argument I keep seeing here, anytime someone expresses dismay with an upcoming renovation...if more people come to the renovated attraction, then Disney is right and everyone who disagrees is wrong.

But here's the thing. You could renovate the attraction a thousand different ways. I'm sure the Imagineers could think up lots of ways to make El Rio into a better, less dated attraction, that would make more people want to ride this. I certainly would agree the attraction needed some updating.

El Rio did have substantial lines once. I've been there when the line almost worked its way outside. It's not that El Rio was a bad attraction, its just that it was an old attraction that wasn't as cool now as it was twenty years ago. There are lots of ways to make this cool again and bring more people through the queue.

The question is, why add the Disney characters? That's the thinking I don't agree with. It's just a cheap way out, in my opinion. "Hmm. El Rio isn't bringing people in anymore. Hey look, people like Donald and some people know who Jose and that other guy are...let's put 'em in the films. Problem solved." In my opinion, the reason El Rio hasn't held up over time was its over-reliance on film projection, as opposed to dimensional sets and AAs. It would appear that in this update, rather than address this problem, which of course would cost serious money, they've used the characters to avoid dealing with it.

 

[polarboi]

That's the argument I keep seeing here, anytime someone expresses dismay with an upcoming renovation...if more people come to the renovated attraction, then Disney is right and everyone who disagrees is wrong.

Well, it's not that I think that Disney is perfect, but honestly what bothers me is that it seems like virtually every time an upcoming project, attraction, or change to the parks is announced, someone is complaining. If you just listened to fan forums, you'd think that the Disney Co. was running Walt's dream into the ground!

You said:

It would appear that in this update, rather than address this problem, which of course would cost serious money, they've used the characters to avoid dealing with it.

I see it differently. It sounds to me like they've found a way to plus the attraction and breathe new life into it without squandering funds that could be better spent on other attractions and updates.

except most everyone under middle-age are going to ask "who the heck are those two birds looking for Donald?"

Well, most people don't know who the Song of the South characters are either, and Splash Mountain does just fine. But I do think you may be underestimating the number of kids who have been exposed to these characters via DVD or the Disney Channel.

-p.b.

 

[bgraham34]

I will look forward to the new show. I will miss the people trying to sell me things and constantly following me at the end. But overall a great idea.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I know who the Three Caballeros are...they used to play the movie on Disney Channel...and anyone who's been to All-Star Music will recognize them.

 

[mousermerf]

Well, just Wednesday at Epcot there was a line atleast 20 people deep excitedly trying to get autographs from just Panchito and Jose - no Donald in sight.

I even overheard someone say "Is that Chip and Dale?" (It was some older guy) and he was corrected by his family. Also on this same day was a confused woman and her family on the Express Monorail though ranting as it cruised past HER resort and how could it go past HER resort?!? Hehe. "There weren't any signs saying some monorails don't stop at every stop!" she exclaimed loudly to the packed monorail to which everyone in the monorail literally giggled at her, and a kind woman explaind it all to her...

So, some people are clueless. Most of us get it.

 

[SirNim]

I know who the Three Caballeros are...they used to play the movie on Disney Channel...and anyone who's been to All-Star Music will recognize them.

Or Coronado Springs!

Panchito's Gifts and Sundrieshttp://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_cs.htm...

 

[mousermerf]

I'd say most folks are more familiar with 3 Cabs then they are with say Skeleton Dance or Flowers and Trees and seriously - who doesn't recognize those?

 

[Imaginationeer]

For anyone interested, opening day is April 2nd. The only changes ive been told are the movies are completely new. The first evident change will be the signage, but once you enter the attraction, you will not see, or better yet hear the characters until you enter the misty ruins/cave. There you will hear Jose and Ponchito calling donald. The other change i can confirm is the three screens formerely in the marketplace will be replaced with one Caballero each. The final change i can confirm is the addition of three semi-animatronic characters on the carousel singing in the final scene. The song is staying since the "hola mis amigos" theme fits in with the ride. The other screens do have new movies, but my source had no ideas and did not ask what they were. The rest of the ride has been spruced up and the new gates are being installed this week.
"and may you always be delighted by the beauty and charm of Mexico":lol: